Virgil Stenberg died peacefully on November 17, 2025, surrounded by family. Virgil was born May 18, 1935 near Grygla, MN. He graduated from Hendrum High School in 1952, Concordia College in 1956, and received a PhD in 1960 from Iowa State. He was a chemistry professor at the University of North Dakota until his retirement in 1993.  He received many awards and accolades during his teaching career, including the Chester Fritz Distinguished Professor Award in 1990. While at UND, he was actively engaged in Intervarsity Christian Fellowship and Christus Rex.

He married Helen Sorenson in 1956. Together, they raised 4 children in Grand Forks, keeping a home there until retirement when they balanced time between their lake cabin and a home in Arizona. While raising the kids, the family camped every summer, graduating from an ancient tent, to a new tent and finally a camper! He was a great dad, loved by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren – he was always scheming a better way for each one of them.

Virgil was an active member of Calvary Lutheran Church until leaving Grand Forks, then was engaged in other Lutheran churches at the lake and in AZ. Faith was a critical part of his life and factored into much of what he did and said.

Virgil loved people and never met a stranger. He believed that every child was a gift, and every stranger was a friend. He was determined and hard-working. He physically outworked younger men well into his 60's; and out-thought most of us through the end of his life.

While at UND, he developed a treatment protocol for his wife's rheumatoid arthritis. Through clinical trials, he was able to prove its efficacy for many inflammatory diseases. He lectured internationally on the treatment, from Europe to India to Singapore. Bringing this treatment to people was a major focus of his life after his retirement from UND.

Virgil is survived by 3 children, Beth (Tam) Bodenheimer, Mary Severson, and Brad (Michelle) Stenberg; 9 grandchildren, Erika (Dusty), Bailey, Patrick, Megan (Sean), Kelsey, Alex (Kristen), Jude, Bella and Haily; 7 great-grandchildren; his brother, Richard (Diane) Stenberg; his companion, Betty Jean Collins; as well as many nieces and nephews, many of them claimed him as their favorite uncle.

He was preceded in death by Helen, his wife of 61 years, his daughter, Pamela, his parents Elmer and Selma Stenberg, and his brothers Eugene, Duane, Elmer and Alden.

Virgil's family will hold a Celebration of Life Service at 1:00 PM on Sunday, December 7, 2025, at New Salem Lutheran Church in Turtle River, MN, with a light lunch afterwards in the fellowship hall.

Graveside Celebration Service: 2:00PM Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at the Ada Municipal Cemetery, Ada, MN.

Memorials can be made to an organization of your choice in Virgil's name.

Please view our guestbook and share condolences online for the family.